Category Archives: Everyday Shenanigans

Well now that University is finally done for the year I’ve pretty much found myself at a bit of a loss. I’m gonna try to focus on my writing, mainly my scripts, and also this here blog, so watch out for the updates (:

Job Hunting.

I’m back on the bru!

To be honest it wasn’t as bad as last summer when I signed on – at least I had a woman and not a some chauvinistic bloke who was confused why “a girl like me wouldn’t be more inclined to go for childcare or hospitality jobs” instead of Media. Away fart peas to the moon! I was so angry, even made a complaint but nothing came from it. Grrrrr ¬_¬

Now though I’m stuck with wee Carol and she couldn’t be nicer. Rejoice – a decent human. Fact is, I’ve been applying for any job going since before uni finished; admin, waitressing, cleaning, PA, even call centres. Even sent a few speculative letter’s to the big guns at the BBC, STV, C4 and the like. Sadly though, I’ve had little reply – all that have are no’s too.

Then I had to go to the Benefit office to sort out my council tax, rent and what not. First time, felt all grown up, twas scary. What was even scarier though was how dour faced everyone was in there! Honestly, kudos to the girls that work in these Benefit Office’s – the amount of sad and aggressive folk that go in and out of there is depressing. I guess that’s just the reality for some people though – watch this space; my post may progressively get more bleak. Yaldi!

I wont be able to start my claim untill the 25th though?! As that’s when the rest of the university finish =_=’ and they have to go by official end dates even though I have been a permanent bum since the 10th. Curse proper conduct and process’, so inconsiderate. I refuse to take out a Crisis Loan though – I’ll just be Jen’s bitch untill I start getting my pennies!

We had to do something special to mark the occasion. So instead of one day where me & my siblings do everything for Ms Kate we spread the celebrations out over the full weekend.

Sadly I couldn’t afford to go home for the Friday (the actual anniversary of her birth) but thankfully Debbie, Steven & DJ had it sorted with balloons, banners, pressies, cake – the works.

Then I chimed with my offerings on the Saturday. Myself and big sis Debbie took her for a wee day out in Glasgow. First stop was The Pig & The Butterfly Tea Rooms, where I had booked us some bubbly afternoon tea. Check us out – proper fancy. I had been the before for a prior Hen Party and the restaurant is like Glasgow’s little hidden gem. Its lush; so very prettyful and the food is absolutely delicious. The girl’s that run it are lovely and after I mentioned it was mum’s 50th birthday, they topped her tier of treats with a lil’ cupcake and sang happy birthday to her. Kawwwaaiiii!

Then I gave her my present. I was worried it wasn’t enough or that I’d have to wing it with something off the high street but thankfully it arrived that morning, half an hour before I left, oooooft – cutting it fiiine! My mum has been electronically developing her own little cookbook of family recipes, so I thought it would be fab to have an actual book to put them all in. That’s when I found ‘Getting Personal‘ and came across a lovely blank recipe book with pockets you could also insert photo’s or notes into.

It was perfect.

However, I didn’t expect wee maw’s reaction – “that handwriting is the spit of your Granny Rob’s”. Holy coincidence! I never knew my mum’s mum, she died before I could remember.

* * *

❤

That’s her in the middle, either side are my Granny & Grampa Smith, I’m the sprog and Debbie’s in the middle there.

Apparently I’m psychic now too! Stick that on my CV. (>_<)

Debbie’s Wedding Preperations.

During our munchings and crunchings Debbie informed me that she had moved her wedding forward! She then basically asked me to be her Maid of Honour! Well at the very least, I have the Hen Party location sorted, Debbie loved the tea rooms that much that she decided there and then to have with The Pig & The Butterfly (plus a hen doo was actually taking place in the room next to us, hint hint).

After the sumptuous lunch we went off into town just for a look about. I haven’t been into Glasgow for a little while so the new disgnery clothes shoppy section outside Buchanan Galleries was a different sight but overall, Glasgow’s still Glasgow (those readers living there will know what I mean).

We went into the Galleries to look for possible bridesmaid dresses. Now I’m a girl (I know, shock gasp horror), I like dresses (doubly so) but some of the abominations they ask for money in these shops are madness. Personal opinion obviously but Jiminy Cricket, some folk must clearly have no taste or is hideous the latest trend & I totally missed it?

In the end I didn’t try anything on as Debbie couldn’t find anything that would go with the Motherwell FC coloured tartan Fraser wants ¬_¬ ppft, men…

Been super busy with Uni work at the moment but thought I’d give you all an update… but Doctor Who is on soon, so I’ll needa be quick hehe.

Robert Malone.

The meeting went really well, Rob’s a lovely guy and he’s really keen to get started, which is fab. He even had the same idea for the stop motion scene I included so I’m glad that came across well in the script; he does suggest I do it in black and white but I’m not too sure to be honest – I’ll try it and see how it looks anyhow. I also asked him if he’s knows any actresses that would be interested in filming as that’s really the only aspect I’m missing and he mentioned a few name’s, including an actress who was in “The Angel’s Share“! I really hope we can get her on board but he also talked about another girl so fingers crossed I have someone by this Wednesday so I can start filming. I’m thinking it’ll have to be done in two days – one for the photography side of the film and the other the for film footage.

I’ve also settle on a name for my film *drum roll”… “The Space Between Us”, simple but catchy me thinks.

On a side note, I felt bizarrely grown up during the meeting, whit’s that aw about? Me sitting there with me striped blazer jacket drinking a black coffee, with my diary and project portfolio sitting on the desk. Blethering about shot sizes, aesthetics, costumes and the like. Twas an oddly fab sensation. Even the wee man at the table next to use found it awfy interesting, staring, listening in and even attempting a casual lean in to get a better insight. Wantae no pal?

Anyheee, I’m getting off topic but aye safe to say I’m getting some really good vibes for the film now (:

* * *

No News Is Good News, Right?

I still haven’t heard anything from the doctors, I’m not overly worried but my hypercondriact wee brain is going into over drive a smidge. I guess I’ll just have to phone up on Monday and find out for myself.

All though, I did get a nope from STV about the whole work experience thingy which is disappointing, not ain’t gonna lie, but something better will come along no doubt… or at least, I hope it will (>_<)

* * *

Wires Crossed .

On another note I’m still without power to my room. We’ve had issues for the past month with the socket in the kitchen tripping the whole system and not going back on afterwards. Our landlord narrowed it down to the plug under the breakfast bar having damp wires due to the washing machine upstairs flooding our kitchen a couple of months ago and it’s just never dried out, thus the RCD switch kept going into safety mode.

Frustrating to say the least.

Since then he’s been back and forth trying to fix the issue. It actually came to the point me and Jen were without power to half of the flat and living through extensions for three days but now it’s just my bedroom that’s affected, typical huh?

It’s been like this for the best part of week now, so I think I may need to phone our landlord again, cause I’m getting a bit sick of doing my hair in the living room every morning. Granted it could be worse, at least I had the living room working – count my lucky stars and all that. (:

* * *

Holidays.

It’s getting closer and closer to the end of my first year at university. Head of 2nd year lecturer, Rachael Stark (I did ask, but there’s no relation to Iron Man, sad face), did say at the start of the year that time would zoom by but it felt like she was just saying that to us last week or summit, so time seems to be taking the biscuit, madness really. It’s also making me realise just how close it’s coming to my first holiday abroad in around 7 years.

I’m really looking forward to it, I’ve been to Majorca before but never the part called Sa Coma, and never with just my dad and Isabel. So at the very least I’ll be interesting. Plus it’s such a generous Graduation & ‘well-done-on-student-of-the-year’ gift from them both, it was totally unexpected and lovely. All I need to do is save for my beer Vodka&Orange tokens and buy clothe; so far my saving’s are going well and I should have £600 saved by the time we fly out.

I’m also planning to do so much while I’m over there; bungee jumping, parasailing and snorkeling. Isabel’s face was a picture when I mentioned that list last time I saw them but my dad’s all for it! So I’m hoping that when it comes down to it both of us wilny wimp out, I’ll regret it if I do and my motto is “no regrets” so I’m just gonna have to man up and do it!

Just bear with me on this. I know you’ve heard it all before but I’ve got some thoughts, gonna doodle them down here – don’t like ’em? Then say so, let’s be civil about this; freedom of speech, right to reply.

Now firstly, I’m not the most politically minded, granted I’ve got my own opinions but who doesn’t? To be frank, I wasn’t all that fussed by the announcement of Thatcher’s death, I just shrugged it off.

Myself, along with some friends, actually only found out through another girl in my class announcing the tweet she received, I know – sad information age blah-de-blah. We all thought it was a joke but when it was confirmed by the news we just found it ironic that our lecture that day was centred on the Popular Realist British Films of the 90’s (“The Full Monty”, “Brassed Off“, “Billy Elliot” and the like), which happened to take place during her time as Priminister, focussing on the aftermath of the Ironworks, Mines and factories her government shut down. Discussion swept over us all and I couldn’t help be sickened by some of the comments, then as soon as our lecturer came in she was beaming and punching the air, rejoicing in her death? Whit?!

Is it just me though or are these Maggie Thatcher haters really quite backwards? I in no way supported the woman or the polices she put into place, especially in Scotland’s Industrial communities. Yes, she made mistakes; Yes, she was brutal; Yes, she even stole our milk, but honestly? How disrespectful can get? “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead“, get a grip.

Not only is what she did in the past, if you really believe she was this Devil woman you all make her out to be, then surely you are only lowering yourselves to her standards by making banners, dancing on her front page tributes, creating fake ‘protest’ funerals and dancing around her grave.

Burning her in effigy? Why? Grudges? Bitterness? Give as good as you get? People seem to forget that she was a mother, a grandmother, and had a family just ike the rest of us; people should ashamed of celebrating her death during her funeral.

What confused me most though was these groups of folk my age getting involved.

You were probably still in nappies, stop jumping on the band wagon!

She cut benefits and forced people into unemployment? Cuts and business closure’s are still happening today, why don’t you all focus on the now rather than revel in the past? She made working men commit suicide? I’m sorry, but suicide is a personal choice – just like the personal choice to vote Margret Thatcher into power in the first place. She was democratically voted in. Yes its horrific what happened afterwards but no matter the controversal aspects of her time as a politician and the families her polices blighted, a funeral is a sombre time to reflect and pay your respects to her family, not cause trouble for the sake of it.

Thankfully things all went of with a sence of respect today. Some turned their backs and booed, but the majority of people put aside their differences and come together for her funeral or even just stayed at home and simply remembered. The fact that the army was there too really portrayed the importance of it all, with Falklands veterans even in attendance.

Admittedly I wasn’t pleased with the fact it was such a big event, costing UK tax payers around £10 million, especially with the economy being the way it is and all the cuts & taxes currently being implemented. I just didn’t see the point in the grandeur of it, she was sill no Churchill in my eyes.

Maybe my opinion is uninformed, I was born in ’92 so I had no real involvement in it all, and felt no aftermath of it but still, it is like the end of an Era, no matter your opinion.

END OF RANT.

Moving Swiftly On.

On a cheerier note, today is also my youngest brother DJ’s 13th birthday. *breaks out into song*. He still has to go to school, which I giggled at but I ain’t going to lie – I feel so old. Aye, I’m 20, I get that there’s no need to dust off my Zimmer frame just yet but it’s just the fact I remember him being born. I recall waiting in the hospital and then all rushing in to see him, being amused with his wee fingers and squished ‘bulldog’ nose. It’s odd, in a good way. I got him trainers, didn’t know what else I coulda got him; apparently he’s too mature for Ben10 or Power Rangers ): Sad times.

Casting Call Success.

I’ve had a good few responses from my casting calls, which is fab. I’m meeting up with an actor to discuss the male character in the film; his name is Robert Maloney and by the looks of his CV with extra work on Waterloo Road and River City (to name but a few) he’s really good. I’m properly excited, watch this space! I‘m also just about to email STV to ask about Work Experience for the summer, so fingers crossed there too (:

Aye, well I now live in Ayr, have done since my 2oth birthday (I know, fab gift to me).

I still live with Jennifer & Simba the cat. I’m also nearly finished my first year of my degree (which is actually the 2nd year of the course, direct entry) in Filmmaking & Screen Writing. I’ve still not got a job – as much as I try. All though, I’m still getting some exp. points by voluntary lending my skills to help out in independent production companies, most recently I’ve adapted a short story into a script for ELGATO Film Productions.

University

So far so good. I’m really enjoying it – don’t get me wrong, its ruddy stressful but I love what I’m doing so I’ll just need to put up with all the coffee & cereal fuelled all-nighters. I passed my first semester, which is handy and this one is going not too bad. I also joined anime club during this time and that’s fab too but I’m that busy I haven’t been for the past few weeks.

Casting Calls

For my 2nd year project I’m making a short film, a five-minute drama to be precise. It’s going pretty well – the script and treatment are done and I’m currently in talks with actors and their involvement. I really want this to be good, no more amateurish films. Even though it hasn’t got a definite name I love the idea and it’s gonna be very experimental and stylish, with some stop motion animation vibes going on too. Properly excited about it (:

Blood Tests

I had an appointment with the Health Nurse today to get some bloods taken. I’m worried about my memory, it’s getting worse and worse but I’m not even 21 yet. I asked about testing my homocysteine levels in my brain but my doctor had no clue what that even was (admittedly I don’t either but I watched the Vitality Show and speaker was talking about it and it just sorta clicked in my brain due to the symptoms it causes – memory loss and cell depletion).

It could just be my hypercondriact self thinking the worst but it’s not just me that’s noticed, family and friends have even commented on my deterioration in terms of memory – putting names to face and vice versa, remembering information from lectures I’ve just left, recalling where I put things, what people have said to me in the past, important dates, etc. At the moment, the bloods are also checking everything related too, b12 and the like.

So aye, my arms a tad sore now as she pinned two veins to try to draw blood but I get my results on Friday at the latest.

Keeping My Fingers Crossed.

My Thoughts Go Out To Boston

Obviously hearing the news about the Boston Marathon bombings really shook me to my core yesterday. You go to the cinema or to school, and you get shot? You go to a marathon to raise money, and you get bombed? Honestly, it really is sickening the things that happen in this world.

My thoughts go out to all those injured and the families of those who died.

Truly, it makes you realise just how precious life is.

The news are now suggesting that the London Marathon this Sunday may be at risk too but hopefully the additional security they are putting towards it will deter anyone. Just reading that back makes me sick though, you shouldn’t have to raise security on a charity event in fear of terrorism. It’s just so heartbreaking.

Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead… Seriously?

Reports are also stating that Thatcher’s funeral tomorrow might also be a target of these terrorists, not just the protestors. Instant thought is ‘aye, calm doon there batman’ but on the other hand it wouldn’t surprise me. Sad thought really.

I’m actually pretty divided on the matter if I’m totally honest but I’m sure you’ve all ready heard the many opinions centred on it. I’ll give my own opinion on the day tomorrow, because I just have to say a couple of things that are bugging me a bout it all, not just the 10 million quid of our taxes paying for it. But I digress… till tomorrow.

lol wut?

Random amazeballs fact of the day…If you Google “Scotland’s national animal” you will be pleasantly surprised by the result. I was, actually made my day, which is actually quite sad now that I think about it – forget I said that. (>_<)